Welcome to the Home Page of the
New York State Association of Fire Chaplains, Inc.

The mission of the New York State Association
of Fire Chaplains, Inc. is to unite all Chaplains of the State of New York in
order to promote a deeper and wider knowledge of one another in the true
ecumenical and interfaith spirit; and to establish statewide procedures of
standardization in serving our fellow firefighters, Emergency Medical Services
(EMS), and God, our supreme Chief.

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It is with
deep regret we share the death notice of Past Chief Chaplain, the Rev. Daniel
J. Bitsko…

Rev. Daniel J.
Bitsko, 82, of New Britain, PA, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday,
September 4, 2019 at ManorCare Health Services in Montgomeryville, PA.
Born in Coaldale, he was the son of the late Frank and Helen (Zelinka)
Bitsko. He was a graduate of the former Coaldale High School and was a
graduate of Duquesne University. He then joined the Byzantine Catholic
Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh where he fulfilled his
vocation of becoming a Byzantine Catholic Priest. Father Daniel had
served as the pastor at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in New York City,
St. Andrew’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Westbury, NY and last served at the
Byzantine Catholic Church of the Resurrection in Smithtown, NY.

Father Daniel
was a member of the New York State Association of Fire Chaplains, Inc. and
served as Chief Chaplain from 2002 – 2004. He also served as the Chaplain
for the New York Islanders Hockey Team as well as for Nascar Races at the
Pocono Raceway. Father Daniel was very active in the community of
Smithtown, NY having been a member and Chaplain of the Smithtown Fire Company,
member of the Smithtown Rotary and member of the Smithtown Historical Society.
He was also a member of the Suffolk County Volunteer Fireman’s
Association in New York as well as the Southern New York Fireman’s Association.
Father Daniel was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Henry Baker
Council 2711.

Surviving is a
Sister, Helen Kochaba and her husband John of Camden, DE; Brother, Nicholas
Bitsko and his wife Ruth of New Britain, PA; Many Nieces and Nephews. He
was preceded in death by a Sister, Mary Cortese; Brothers, Michael, Frank,
Andrew, John and Stephen.

Funeral Service
with Divine Liturgy will be held on Monday, Sept. 9, 2019 at 11 a.m. at St.
John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, 104 E. Bertsch St., Lansford with
the Most Reverend Kurt Burnette officiating. Interment will follow at St.
John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Summit Hill. Visitation
will be held on Monday from 9-11 a.m. at the Church.

Contributions,
in Father Daniel’s Memory, may be made to St. John the Baptist/St. Mary’s
Byzantine Catholic Parishes, the Byzantine Catholic Church of the Resurrection
or to the charity of one’s choice . Online Condolences may be expressed at www.nalesnikfh.com. Funeral services
and arrangements are being handled by the Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 W.
Center St., Nesquehoning PA 18240.

(Attached are
several photos that Chaplain Billia provided. Dan always looked forward
to the annual Catholic Chaplain’s picture that was taken at our Chaplain
Conferences.)